Material Containment System

ABSTRACT

Containment packages ( 10 ) having utility for transport of hazardous gases and security systems for controlling access to packages, e.g., hazardous gas containment packages ( 20 ). In a specific implementation, a containment package includes an overpack ( 11 ) for improving the safety and security of gas-containment vessels during transportation, e.g., air shipment, in which the overpack is pressurized by a protective gas at pressure in excess of the pressure in the gas-containment vessels, and a global positioning system (GPS) coordinated programmable lock and key system ( 30 ) is integrated with the containment package for controlled access to the gas-containment vessels only when the GPS component indicates that the containment package is at a specific geographic location.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to materials containment packages forstoring and/or transporting materials and also relates to securitysystems for controlling access to and operation of materials sources.More specifically, the invention relates to an overpack for improvingthe safety and security of materials-containment vessels duringtransportation, e.g., air shipment, and a programmable lock and keysystem suitable for use with such overpack or with other packagescontaining hazardous or sensitive materials or information.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,528 issued May 21, 1996 to Glenn M. Tom, et al.describes an adsorbent-based fluid storage and delivery system useful inthe supply of gas for semiconductor manufacturing operations, e.g., ionimplantation. In such system, fluid is sorptively retained on anadsorbent medium of suitable adsorptive affinity for such fluid, in afluid storage and dispensing vessel. The adsorbent medium can forexample include a particulate carbon medium having nano-scale pores, inwhich the fluid is stored. In use, fluid is desorbed from the adsorbentmedium under dispensing conditions. The fluid storage and dispensingvessel can for example be a metal cylinder, and dispensing conditionscan involve thermally-assisted desorption of the fluid from theadsorbent medium, pressure-differential-based desorption of the fluidfrom the adsorbent medium, and/or concentration gradient-baseddesorption of the fluid from the adsorbent medium (e.g., by passage of acarrier gas through the vessel for contact with the adsorbent mediumhaving fluid adsorbed thereon, to entrain the desorbed fluid in thecarrier gas stream).

Adsorbent-based fluid storage and dispensing systems of the typedescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,528, U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,965, U.S. Pat.No. 5,704,967 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,424 have been commercialized byATMI, Inc. (Danbury, Conn.) under the trademarks SDS and SAGE. Suchsystems permit gas to be stored in an adsorbed state at sub-atmosphericpressure for subsequent desorption and dispensing, thereby substantiallyenhancing the safety of gas storage as compared to conventionalhigh-pressure gas containment compressed gas cylinders.

Although the SDS and SAGE gas packages have been widely commercializedin the semiconductor manufacturing industry, as a proven safealternative to use of compressed gas sources, the commercialimplementation of such sub-atmospheric pressure gas packages has beenimpeded by shipment regulations that were originally promulgated forconventional high-pressure gas cylinders. The regulations reflect thesignificant hazards attendant the rupture of or leakage from suchhigh-pressure cylinders when hazardous gases, e.g., arsine, phosphine,and boron trifluoride, are involved.

For example, in the United States, the Code of Federal Regulations inCFR 49 172.101 (8) prohibits cylinders containing arsine, phosphine andboron trifluoride from being transported by air. As a result, all SDSand SAGE gas cylinders, even though they contain these gases atsub-atmospheric pressure, must be transported by non-air transportmodes.

Accordingly, when SDS or SAGE gas cylinders are shipped internationally,they must be transported by ocean freight. Transportation by ocean cargovessels from the United States to Europe or Asia increases the length ofthe supply chain by 20-40 days, in relation to air transport. Theresulting increase in the length of the supply chain requirescorresponding increases in required inventories and cylinder fleetsizes, increases the likelihood of imbalances between the gas packagesupply and dynamically changing gas demand, and results in lower orderfulfillment rates (in consequence of stock outages of the packaged gas).

By contrast, air shipment cycle times between the United States andEurope or Asia are on the order of 7 days or less.

Supply chain economics therefore greatly favor air transport over othermodes of shipment of packaged gases. Other factors favoring airtransportation over oceanic or other modes of transport include: (i)improvement in security of gas packages as a result of reduced time inthe transportation pipeline and corresponding reduction in opportunitiesfor tampering or hijacking of shipments of gas cylinders of toxic orotherwise hazardous gases; (ii) reduced risk of damage to the gasproduct as a result of reduced time of exposure to in-transitenvironmental conditions such as moisture, vibration, water and extremesof heat and cold; and (iii) the availability of better shipment trackingcapabilities from air carriers than are provided by ocean freightcompanies or other non-air common carriers.

In sum, current transportation regulations prohibiting air shipment ofhazardous gases such as arsine, phosphine and boron trifluoride wereestablished as a result of safety concerns associated with high pressuretoxic gases. Even though the adsorbent-based gas packages described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,518,528 and commercialized under the trademarks SDS andSAGE afford a high level of safety of the packaged gas (by packagingsuch gas at pressures below 0 psig), it nonetheless it is necessary toachieve an even higher level of safety to satisfy regulatory concernsapplicable to the air transport of hazardous gas packages.

It therefore would be a significant advance the art to provide animproved gas package for secure containment of hazardous gases such asarsine, phosphine and boron trifluoride, which satisfies regulatoryconcerns associated with air transport of the hazardous gases.

A related issue involving safety and security concerns when toxic orhazardous materials are transported, regardless of the specific mode oftransport, is the issue of providing selective access to the shipped gascontainer, so that only appropriate persons have access to such toxic orhazardous materials during their shipment, and reliably tracking suchaccess during travel of the toxic or hazardous material to its ultimatedestination.

As the world continues to cope with security concerns, it isparticularly important that numerous high technology and advancedmaterials, decaborane being but one example, not fall into the hands ofindividuals with destructive intentions. Concurrently, with ever-growingneeds for increasing the speed of technical development, more stringentcommercial requirements for delivery of supplies of raw materials atglobally distant manufacturing locations, and continual shrinkage of thetime-frames for global supply chains, it is vitally important to shipmaterials quickly, efficiently and economically in a manner enablingtracking to ensure that the material remains in a non-tampered state andis at the appropriate place in the supply chain at the required time.

Although a variety of “tamper-proof” technologies has been developed,including tapes, single-use locks, and indicator devices that revealwhether or not a package has been opened, these approaches do notprovide a log of when and where the package has been opened or otherwiseinspected. This is a major deficiency, since anti-terrorism measures areincreasing in scope and frequency, and inspections and contentsverification of packages by customs agents, police, military and othergovernment and commercial personnel are becoming routine at airports andmany other transshipment points in the world.

It therefore would be a significant advance in the art to provide acontainment package for hazardous or otherwise sensitive material, whichis of a tamper-proof character, and provides a tracking capability andan indication of when and where the containment package has been openedor otherwise accessed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to containment packages having utility forstorage and/or transport of materials, preferably hazardous materials,more preferably hazardous fluids such as gas or liquid, most preferablya gas, and to security systems useful for controlling the transportand/or access to packages such as hazardous gas containment packages.

The invention relates in one aspect to a container package adapted fortransport of at least one vessel containing at least one material,preferably a hazardous material, more preferably a hazardous fluid suchas gas or liquid or the like, the container package including anoverpack enclosing an interior volume and adapted for leak-tight sealingof the interior volume against an exterior environment of the containerpackage, the interior volume being adapted to hold the at least onevessel therein, the overpack including a monitoring system formonitoring at least one of, pressure, temperature, chemical leak,chemical exposure, radiation exposure and/or shock. Preferably, thematerial within the vessel is at sub atmospheric pressure. The materialscontained in the vessel preferably include compounds, compositions orprecursors for use in ion implantation, CVD, ALD, etching or cleansoperations.

The invention relates in one aspect to a container package adapted fortransport of at least one fluid storage and dispensing vessel containingfluid at a first pressure, the container package including an overpackhaving an interior volume and adapted for leak-tight sealing of theinterior volume against an exterior environment of the containerpackage, the interior volume being adapted to hold the at least onefluid storage and dispensing vessel therein, the overpack including apressurizing port adapted for introduction of pressurizing gas to theinterior volume of the overpack to establish a second pressure in theinterior volume above the first pressure, and, preferably, a pressuremonitor adapted to monitor the second pressure. Preferably, the materialwithin the vessel is at sub atmospheric pressure.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a programmableelectromechanical lock and key system, including a programmableelectromechanical lock and electronic key. The lock and key system maybe programmable based on time (e.g., programmed to not be unlocked for20 days if estimated transportation time is 20 days), location (e.g.,programmed to only open at specified location(s)) and/or user (e.g.,programmed to only be opened by designated individuals). Preferably, thelock and key system is GPS-controlled. Accordingly to one preferredembodiment, at least one lock is operatively coupled with a GPS systemso that the programmable electromechanical lock is openable when the GPSsystem indicates that the programmable electromechanical lock andelectronic key are both at a predetermined location or withinpredetermined geographic coordinates, and electronic key is actuated.Alternatively, the programmable lock or key system may be openable uponinput of a code or insertion of a key.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of the programmablelock and key system on the vessel(s) rather than or in addition to theoverpak containment system.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a restricted-accesspackaging system, including a package including an access structure, anda programmable electromechanical lock and key system, operably coupledto the access structure to selectively restrict access to the package.Preferably, the lock and key system is GPS-controlled.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a global supply-chainsystem, including a programmable lock and key and/or restricted-accesspackaging system of the foregoing type and a supply-chain database orcomputer system.

A still further aspect of the events relates to a global supply-chainsystem, including a container package adapted for transport of at leastone fluid storage and dispensing vessel containing fluid at a firstpressure, the container package including an overpack having an interiorvolume and adapted for leak-tight sealing of the interior volume againstan exterior environment of the container package, the interior volumebeing adapted to hold the at least one fluid storage and dispensingvessel therein, the overpack including a pressurizing port adapted forintroduction of pressurizing gas to the interior volume of the overpackto establish a second pressure in the interior volume above the firstpressure, and a pressure monitor adapted to monitor the second pressure,and transport capability for shipment of the container package from afirst location to a second location. Preferably, the material within thevessel is at sub atmospheric pressure

In another aspect, the invention relates to a materials transport systemfor shipment of a material, preferably a hazardous material, morepreferably a fluid such as gas or liquid, most preferably gas, from afirst location to a second location, the materials transport systemincluding a containment package including an overpack for holding one ormore vessels containing the hazardous material during transportationthereof from the first location to the second location, and a globalpositioning system (GPS) coordinated programmable lock and key systemoperably coupled with the containment package for locking thereof toprevent access to the one or more vessels in the overpack, and adaptedto unlock the containment package at one or more locations during thetransportation thereof.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a materials transport systemfor shipment of a hazardous gas from a first location to a secondlocation, the materials transport system including a containment packageincluding an overpack for holding one or more vessels containing thehazardous gas during transportation thereof from the first location tothe second location, and a global positioning system (GPS) coordinatedprogrammable lock and key system operably coupled with the containmentpackage for locking thereof to prevent access to the one or more vesselsin the overpack, and adapted to unlock the containment package at one ormore locations during the transportation thereof.

Additionally, the GPS system could be further integrated with activeRFID technology that would enable a global inventory control trackingand management system. For example active RFID technology combined withGPS or cell phone communications, would permit tracking and monitoringof overpacks containing hazardous materials as they move anywherethrough the supply chain. Stationary overpacks may also be tracked andmonitored as well. Other capabilities of the GPS/RFID system wouldinclude alerting a supply chain manager or authorities in the event ofan undesirable event during transportation and/or storage such astampering, mishandling or outright theft of the overpacks and/or thevessel within the overpaks.

A still further aspect of the invention relates to an overpack includingan enclosure defining an interior volume adapted for holding at leastone fluid storage and dispensing vessel in an environment of containmentgas, wherein the containment gas in the interior volume of the overpackis at a pressure that is above the pressure level of a fluid containedin the at least one fluid storage and dispensing vessel. Preferably, thematerial within the vessel is at subatmospheric pressure.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing aproduct, preferably semiconductor product, using a material, preferablya hazardous material, more preferably a hazardous fluid such as gas orliquid, most preferably gas, for its manufacture, the method includingsupplying the material from a material storage and dispensing vesseltransported by a container package as described hereinabove and usingsuch material in a semiconductor manufacturing operation to form theproduct. Preferably, the semiconductor manufacturing operation is a CVDprocess or implant process or ALD or cleans operation. According to oneembodiment, the container package includes aGPS-controlled programmableelectromechanical lock and key system as described hereinabove.Accordingly to another embodiment, the container package includes arestricted access packaging system as previously described. According toa further embodiment, the container package includes or is adapted foruse with a global supply-chain system as described hereinabove.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to various methods,including: a method of manufacturing a semiconductor product requiring amaterial, preferably a hazardous material, more preferably a hazardousfluid such as gas or liquid, most preferably gas, for its manufacture,including supplying the material, preferably a fluid, from an overpack;a method for supplying a material, preferably a fluid, including fillinga material storage and dispensing vessel with the material, preferably afluid, and installing the material storage and dispensing vessel in acontainer package; a method for supplying a material, preferably afluid, including filling a material, preferably a fluid storage anddispensing vessel for installation in a container package; a method ofsupplying a material, preferably a fluid, including introducing thematerial into an overpack; a method of supplying a material, preferablya fluid, including introducing the material into a container package; amethod of supplying a material, preferably a fluid for semiconductormanufacture, including transporting the material in a global supplychain system, transporting the material, preferably a fluid in a globalsupply chain system, and/or transporting the material, preferably afluid in a materials transport system; a method of supplying a material,preferably a fluid for semiconductor manufacture, including transportingthe material, preferably a fluid in a materials transport system; amethod of supplying a material, preferably a fluid for semiconductormanufacture, including transporting the material, preferably a fluid inan overpack; a method of securing a material or article, includingpackaging same in a package secured with a GPS-controlled programmableelectromechanical lock and key system; a method of securing a materialor article, including use of a GPS-controlled programmableelectromechanical lock and key system; a method of enhancing safety of amaterial, preferably a fluid during transport thereof, the methodincluding use of a container package; a method of enhancing safety of afluid during transport thereof, the method including use of aGPS-controlled programmable electromechanical lock and key system; and amethod of enhancing safety of a material, preferably a fluid duringtransport thereof, the method including packaging the material,preferably a fluid in an overpack.

Other aspects, features and embodiments of the invention will be morefully apparent from the ensuing disclosure and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container package according to oneembodiment of the present invention including an overpack having anarray of gas-containing vessels therein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective exterior view of the container package of FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, in cross-section, of the container packageof FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective sectional view of a portion of the upper lefthand portion of the container package shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective sectional view of a portion of the upper righthand portion of the container package shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lid of the container package ofFIGS. 1-5, showing the details of the construction thereof.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lid of the container package ofFIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view, in elevational cross-section, of a portionof the lid shown in the preceding drawings, as depicted with anassociated pressure gauge in the first port at the right-band side ofthe lid, and a valve mounted on a fitting in the second port on theleft-hand side of the lid, in the view shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS THEREOF

The present invention relates to containment packages having utility forthe storage and/or transport of materials, preferably hazardousmaterials, more preferably liquids and/or gases, most preferably gases,and to security systems for controlling access to packages, e.g.,hazardous gas containment packages.

As used herein the term “hazardous materials” is defined as includingany material identified in 49 CFR-172.101 Hazardous Materials Table andsanctioned by Hazardous Materials Regulations.

In one specific aspect, the invention relates to a containment package,including an overpack for improving the safety and security ofgas-containment vessels during transportation, e.g., air shipment, and aglobal positioning system (GPS) coordinated programmable lock and keysystem suitable for use with a package such as container packages forhazardous gases.

The vessels described herein can be any container for materials.Preferably, the vessel comprise a subatmospheric vessel such as thosedescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,528; U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,965; U.S. Pat.No. 5,704,967; U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,305; U.S. Pat. No. 6,406,519; U.S.Pat. No. 6,204,180; U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,027; U.S. Pat. No. 6,743,278;U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,027; U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,816; U.S. Pat. No.6,343,476; U.S. Pat. No. 6,660,063; U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,653; U.S. Pat.No. 6,132,492; U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,270; U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,245; U.S.Pat. No. 5,761,910; U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,298; U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,653;and U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,424, hereby incorporated herein by reference, intheir respective entireties. Preferred vessels includes SDS® and VAC®delivery vessels (ATMI, Inc.).

Although described herein primarily in application to fluid storage anddispensing apparatus of the type disclosed in the aforementioned Tom, etal. patent, wherein a solid-phase physical adsorbent medium is employedfor sorptively retaining gas for storage and subsequent dispensing ofgas under desorption dispensing conditions, the utility of the inventionis not thus limited. Contrariwise, the invention contemplates a widevariety of other types of fluid storage and dispensing apparatus,including fluid storage and dispensing apparatus in which other types ofsorbent media are employed to store a fluid for subsequent disengagementof the fluid from the sorbent medium under dispensing conditions.

In such respect, the sorbent medium may include a solvent, liquid,semi-solid, or other material having capability as a storage medium. Forexample, the fluid storage medium may be a reversible reactive liquidmedium, e.g., an ionic liquid medium, capable of reactive uptake offluid in a first step, and reactive release of previously taken up fluidin a second step, wherein the first and second steps are reversereactions in relation to one another, and define a reversible reactionscheme. According to another embodiment, the vessel uses a liquidabsorbent, such as those disclosed in US Patent Publication No.20040206241, hereby incorporated by reference.

According to yet another embodiment, the vessel is a solids deliveryvessel (e.g., ProEVap™ system) such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,921,062, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/662,515, orUS Patent Publication No. 20050039794, hereby incorporated by reference.

The containment package of the present invention enables an enhancedlevel of safety to be achieved in the transport of fluids, and inapplication to sub-atmospheric fluid sources such as the aforementionedSDS and SAGE adsorbent-based fluid storage and dispensing apparatus,provides a safety level that is appropriate for air transport of the(sub-atmospheric) fluid.

The containment package of the invention in a specific embodimentincludes an overpack for a fluid storage and dispensing vessel, e.g., anadsorbent-based gas storage and dispensing vessel of the general typedescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,528, U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,965, U.S. Pat.No. 5,704,967 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,424 as commercially available fromATMI, Inc. (Danbury, Conn.) under the trademarks SDS and SAGE. Theoverpack preferably includes an enclosure for the fluid storage anddispensing vessel, in which the enclosure defines an interior volumeadapted for holding the fluid storage and dispensing vessel in anenvironment of containment gas. The containment gas in the interiorvolume of the overpack is at a pressure that is above the pressure levelof the fluid contained in the fluid storage and dispensing vessel. In apreferred embodiment, the pressure of the containment gas is aboveambient pressure exterior to the overpack. The containment gaspreferably is inert, i.e., a gas that is non-reactive in exposure to thefluid storage and dispensing vessel and its contents.

The positive pressure of the containment gas in the overpack in relationto the fluid in the vessel held in the overpack ensures that in theevent the vessel in the overpack develops a leak, the resulting initialmovement of gas will be into the vessel, and not out of the vessel intothe overpack. In addition, the use of an inert gas as the containmentgas in the interior volume of the overpack helps to minimize the risk ofdeleterious effects such as corrosion and fire in the event of leakageof gas from the vessel into the surrounding interior volume in theoverpack. This is highly advantageous when highly corrosive orpyrophoric gases such silane and boron trifluoride are to be transportedin a fluid storage and dispensing vessel that is held in the overpack.

The overpack in one preferred embodiment is equipped with a pressuremonitor, e.g., an analog or alternatively a digital pressure gauge. Thefunctions served by the pressure monitor may include one or more or allof the following: (i) monitoring and control of the pressurization ofthe overpack during charging with the containment gas; (ii) leakindication in the event that the integrity of the overpack iscompromised, e.g., by puncturing or other occurrence impairing theleak-tightness of the overpack; (iii) detection of a leak in the fluidstorage and dispensing vessel held in the interior volume of theoverpack, involving loss of internal pressure in the interior volume ofthe overpack as containment gas flows from the interior volume of theoverpack into the fluid storage and dispensing vessel held therein; and(iv) verification of tampering involving loss of pressure of thecontainment gas if the structural integrity of the overpack hascompromised by intentional activity impairing the leak-tightness of theoverpack against the external environment.

The overpack in another embodiment is adapted for thermal management ofthe gas package including the overpack and a fluid storage anddispensing vessel contained therein. During transportation, the overpackcan be exposed to a wide range of temperatures, e.g., temperatures in arange of from −40° to 150° F. To accommodate such temperaturevariability, the overpack can be equipped with a thermal controller, tocontrol temperature of the fluid storage and dispensing vessel orotherwise damp the effects of temperature variation.

The thermal controller can be variously constituted, and in specificembodiments can include active heating and cooling componentry, and/orthermal insulation of the overpack. For example, the overpack caninclude dunnage in the interior volume whose function is to positionallyfix and stabilize a gas cylinder therein. Such dunnage can be fabricatedof a low thermal conductivity material, e.g., a high quality insulativematerial, to dampen thermal swings during transportation, and therebyminimize adverse effects on the gas in the cylinder held in the interiorvolume of the overpack.

The thermal controller may additionally, or alternatively, includedevices or structure for heat addition and removal. For example, a phasechange gel pack may be incorporated in the overpack, including amaterial capable of phase change in a temperature range of interest, sothat temperature changes that deviate from the phase change temperatureof the material in the gel pack will prompt either a solidification thatreleases heat or a liquefaction that adsorbs heat from the surroundingenvironment, depending on the direction of the temperature deviation. Bysuch expedient, temperature of the cylinder in the overpack can bemaintained in a predetermined range during its transport.

Such thermal control is highly advantageous in the application of theoverpack to containment of adsorbent-based fluid storage and dispensingvessels, since internal pressure in such adsorbent-based vessels is afunction of temperature, and pressure determines the level of safetythat is achieved by the gas package, i.e., the lower the pressure in theadsorbent-based fluid storage and dispensing vessel, the lower thelikelihood that a leak will occur.

By way of specific example, in an SDS or SAGE cylinder, pressuretypically increases by 0.25 psi for each degree of increase intemperature. At 70° F., pressure in a gas-filled SDS or SAGE cylinder istypically less than 1 atmosphere, however at 80° F., the pressure in thevessel can be greater than 1 atmosphere, and a leak in the cylinderwould result in egress of gas from the cylinder to the surroundingambient pressure environment.

In another embodiment, the thermal monitor includes a time-temperaturemonitoring system, e.g., a system such as the 3M™ MonitorMark™time-temperature monitoring system commercially available from 3M Co.,Minneapolis, Minn., to provide assurance that the cylinder in theoverpack is maintained at a required temperature during transportation.

Temperature control and monitoring capability associated with theoverpack is especially important in application to gas storage anddelivery systems that are based on liquid adsorption or complexation.For example, gas adsorbed into a liquid such as tetraglyme or an ionicliquid may become less soluble as a function of increasing temperature,so that increasing temperature increases the pressure within thecylinder and reduces the safety of the gas containment. By the provisionof temperature control and monitoring capability associated with theoverpack, such liquid-based gas storage and dispensing systems can betransported in a highly safe and effective manner, commensurate with therequirements of gas containment for air shipping applications.

In other embodiments of the invention, the safe character of theoverpack is enhanced by the provision of passive elements for monitoringand abating gas leaks within the overpack. In order to detect a leakwithin the overpack, a gas-specific detector can be deployed, such as agas-specific sensor disposed in a port of the overpack and providing avisual indication to a viewer that a leak has occurred. Additionally, oralternatively, dunnage or inner packing in the interior volume of theoverpack can be employed, which incorporates an adsorbent medium thatwould take up and immobilize any leaking gas from the cylinder insidethe overpack. Such adsorbent medium may include a physical absorbentmedium, or alternatively, or additionally, include a chemisorbentmedium.

The overpack itself may be formed in any suitable manner to provide theenclosure housing with an appropriate shape, structure and/orconfiguration for leak-tight containment of the fluid storage anddispensing vessel. In one embodiment, the overpack includes a steel drumdefining an enclosure housing for the fluid storage and dispensingvessel. Other containers of greater size than the fluid storage anddispensing vessel may be employed, and the overpack can be of a size andvolumetric capacity adapted for containing a multiplicity of fluidstorage and dispensing vessels therein.

The overpack enclosure may be formed of any of a wide variety ofsuitable materials of construction, and may be formed as a unitaryenclosure or as an assembly of enclosure-forming structural members. Theoverpack can employ any of a wide variety of suitable sealingarrangements, including, without limitation, gasket seals, boltedflanges, threaded screws, crimped caps, swages, press fit structures,heat seals, etc. Potentially suitable materials of construction include,without limitation, metals, plastics/polymers, wood, glass, fiberglass,ceramics, composite materials, and the like.

The overpack assembly can include various accessories and ancillaryfeatures, including, without limitation, thermal insulators, heaters,coolers, pressure relief devices, valves, pressure gauges andtransducers, internal chemical adsorbents/scrubbers, fire extinguishers,temperature monitors and indicators, shock absorbers, shock sensors, andtracking devices, e.g., radio frequency identification devices (RFIDs),global positioning satellite (GPS) tracking devices, barcodes and otherscannable or detectible identification indicia, etc.

The fluids that can be contained in and dispensed from the fluid storageand dispensing vessel can be of any suitable type. In one embodiment,the fluid in the fluid storage and dispensing vessel is a semiconductormanufacturing fluid, such as, for example, boron trifluoride, arsine,phosphine, silicon tetrafluoride, germanium tetrafluoride, arsenicpentafluoride, phosphorus trifluoride, hydrogen selenide, diborane anddecaborane.

In one embodiment, the gas package includes an overpack containing atleast one gas storage and dispensing vessel holding gas adsorbed onnano-scale porous carbon, i.e., particles of carbon with pores havingdiameters of nanometer-scale dimensions, with the gas being stored atsub-atmospheric pressure. In such embodiment, the gas storage anddispensing vessel is contained in a pressurized steel overpack drum witha visible pressure gauge, enabling transportation personnel to quicklyand safely check to the integrity of the gas package, by viewing thepressure gauge indication of the pressure in the overpack drum. Theoverpack is equipped with a foam inner lining that conforms to the shapeof the gas storage and dispensing vessel that is contained in theoverpack drum. The foam inner lining is formed of polypropylene, allgaskets of the overpack are formed of Viton elastomer, and the drum iscoated on its interior as well as exterior surfaces with an epoxyphenolic primer.

The gas package is constructed so that the maximum pressure in any fullyloaded cylinder installed in the overpack will be less than 0 psig at21° C. (70° F.). In the valve head of the cylinder, the valve wheel issecured by a strap that provides tension in the tightening direction anda plug is placed in the valve in such valve head. A protective valve capis used to protect the valve area of the cylinder valve head. Thecylinder and valve area are shrink-wrapped before being placed in theoverpack drum.

The filled gas cylinders are placed into the foam inner lining in theinterior volume of the overpack drum to prevent movement of thecylinders. The drum then is pressurized to a pressure of about 3-5 psigwith an inert gas such as nitrogen gas, and the pressure is clearlyreadable from outside the drum by viewing a recessed pressure gauge. Thepressure gauge provides a readily visually verifiable check of thepressure to ensure that it is at an appropriate level. Transportationservice personnel can then be instructed to reject or remove the packagefrom transportation if the pressure indicated by the pressure gaugedrops below a predetermined value.

The number of cylinders per overpack drum in this illustrativeembodiment is between 6 and 24, depending on the relative sizes of thecylinders and the overpack drum, with the amount of gas in the cylindersbeing dependent on the size of the cylinder in each instance. Forexample, the volume of the cylinders may range from 0.4 L to 6.6 L, andthe drum may be sized to accommodate 24 cylinders each having a volumeof 0.4 L in a first embodiment, or 6 cylinders each having a volume of6.6 L in a second embodiment, or 12 cylinders each having a volume ofthe 2.2 L in a third embodiment.

The invention in another aspect relates to a programmable lock and keysystem that provides a package with a restricted access character, atracking capability, and a recorded history of when and where thepackage has been opened. In a still further embodiment, the inventioncontemplates the provision of a global positioning satellite (GPS), as acontroller for such programmable lock and key system.

The GPS programmable lock and key system utilizes a programmableelectro-mechanical locking system providing a log of lock operation(date and time information), in combination with a GPS system providinggeographic and/or spatial information on the location of the package.

In one specific embodiment, the GPS system is coupled with theprogrammable electro-mechanical locking system, so that the latter canbe actuated for unlocking only when the GPS component indicates that thelocking system is in a specific geographic area. In one particulararrangement of this embodiment, a GPS programmable lock and key systemcan is programmably adapted so that the GPS device generates a signalthat is transmitted to the lock and/or key, to enable the lock to beopened only in predetermined geographic locations, such as a customscheckpoint, a distributor's warehouse, or an end user's facility. Forexample, the GPS system can be programmed to actuate the lock by asignal transmitted from the GPS to the lock, thereby placing the lock inan actuatable mode in which an electronic key can be employed to openthe lock, and permit access to the locked container package, when thephysical location of the container package is determined by the GPSsystem to be within a specified set of coordinates.

The programmable electro-mechanical locking system can be of anysuitable type. One such locking system is the CyberLock system,commercially available from Videx, Inc. (Corvallis, Oreg.,http://www.videx.com/products/detail/cyberlock.html). The CyberLocksystem utilizes an electronic key that is programmed with accessprivileges for each authorized user. Each time that the key is used atthe lock, a record including lock identification, date and time isstored in the key, while the key identification, date and time arestored as a record in the lock. The lock and key also record attempts byan unauthorized person to open the lock. The system may be employed withsoftware that schedules access times, maintains a log of lock access,generates reports and disables lost keys. The software may be employedon a handheld or desktop computer or other processor, arranged in signalcommunication relationship with the lock and/or key. When theprogrammable electro-mechanical locking system is integrated with a GPSdevice in the manner described above, such handheld or desktop computeror other processor can also be arranged in signal processing and signalcommunication relationship with the GPS device.

Programmable electro-mechanical locking systems have conventionally beenemployed for security and access control of stationary installations,but have not heretofore been employed for tracking and access control oftransportable articles in the manner of the present invention. Further,due to such prior usage for security and access control of stationaryinstallations, the date and time information afforded by the lockingsystem has not needed to be associated with any geographic or spatialinformation.

The present invention in one preferred aspect utilizes a programmableelectro-mechanical locking system in the management of high sensitivitymaterials, such as hazardous chemicals, nuclear waste, currency,securities, antiquities, artworks, hazardous biological materials,valuables, secrets, historical artifacts, transactional documents, etc.

As applied to chemical materials management, the invention contemplatesthe application of programmable electro-mechanical locking systems tochemicals in supply chains. The materials management system for suchpurpose can include any suitable containers to which the programmableelectro-mechanical locking system is adaptable, including, for example,cylinders, barrels, ampoules, bottles, crucibles, boxes, cases, bags,liners, crates, and the like, which are locked with an appropriateelectronic or electromechanical lock openable by an electronic key thatis appropriately programmed, e.g., with a predetermined expiration date,access dates and/or times, number of uses, etc., and transmitted to anauthorized access party, who may for example be a government inspector,manufacturer's representative, independent analyst, broker, testinglaboratory, distributor, reseller, end-user, etc. By this arrangement,the material can be accessed only by an intended authorized party orparties.

In one specific embodiment, the material container is a gas cylinder,e.g., an adsorbent-based subatmospheric pressure gas storage anddelivery cylinder of the type described hereinabove, equipped with aprogrammable electromechanical lock openable by electronic keys.

In a further aspect, the invention contemplates the application ofprogrammable electronic or electro-mechanical locking systems asdescribed above for materials management, in combination with a globalposition device that is coupled with the locking system to allow apackage containing the material to be opened only within certaingeographic boundaries.

The coupling of the programmable electro-mechanical locking system withthe global position device can be effected in any of various ways. Inone embodiment, a GPS signal is electronically wired to the lock of thelocking system, as previously described. In another embodiment, a GPSsignal is electronically wired to the electronic key of the lockingsystem. In another embodiment, sequential lock operation is required inwhich the electronic key is deployed to activate the lock of a GPS unitwith a first lock, to open it, and immediately thereafter (within apredetermined time frame) the same electronic key is used to activatethe second lock for unopening thereof. In this way, the number of GPStransducers can be reduced, with one GPS transducer serving many keys.

Thus, the invention contemplates a time- and spatially-programmable locksystem enabling control by an originator, sender or other appropriateperson of the material once the material has left the possession of suchperson. An electronically traceable trail of the access is provided, toaid in avoiding misdirection, theft, damage, contamination, loss orother adverse circumstance involving the material contained in thepackage equipped with such lock system. For example, such electronictrail of a chemical material can be utilized to verify that the packagewas appropriately filled with a specific chemical reagent by a specificmanufacturer on a specific date, thereby avoiding instances ofcontainers being filled or refilled with wrong materials, directed to awrong process tool, or otherwise compromised.

As another variant embodiment, locks could also be programmed to expireafter the useful lifetime of a packaged material, thereby preventing useof the out-of-specification materials in sensitive process applications.

The present invention thus contemplates a packaging apparatus and methodin which a cylinder containing hazardous gas is secured by a safetysystem providing an additional level of protection, enablingtransportation personnel to quickly and safely check the integrity ofthe package. The safety system may variously employ the previouslydescribed container package including an overpack in which the cylinderis maintained in a gas environment at a pressure that is above thepressure of the hazardous gas contained in the cylinder, and/or aprogrammable locking system, in which the programmable locking systemoptionally, and preferably, is integrated with a GPS system controllingthe operability of the locking system.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gascontainer package 10 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention including an overpack II having an array of gas-containingvessels 20 therein. The overpack 11 includes a cylindrical side wall 14,floor member 12, and lid 16 defining an interior volume 18 in which thevessel array is disposed. The vessels 20 are maintained in position inthe interior volume by a foam inner liner (described more fullyhereinafter, but not shown in FIG. 1 for ease of illustration of theinteriorly disposed vessel array).

The floor member 12 of the overpack 11 is joined leak-tightly to sidewall 14 along the circumference of the circular floor member, e.g., bywelding, brazing, fusion bonding or other suitable joining techniqueensuring leak-tightness. The lid 16 of the overpack is leak-tightlysecured to the upper end of the side wall 14 by a circumferentialclamping ring 22 having split ends joined to fastening flanges 24 and26. The fastening flanges 24 and 26 are cooperatively coupled by amechanical fastening assembly including bolt 34 and nut 36.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the bolt 34 of the bolt and nutassembly is passed through a central bore of the cylindrical upperportion 28 of the time- and spatially-programmable lock 30 having a mainhousing portion 31 coupled to the cylindrical upper portion. When theprogrammable lock 30 is locked, the cylindrical upper portion 28 engagesbolt 34 so that the bolt is fixedly positioned and cannot be removedfrom the bore of the cylindrical upper portion until the main housingportion provides an electronic unlocking signal to the cylindrical upperportion, whereupon the cylindrical upper portion 28 disengages from thebolt 34 and permits its removal. The main housing portion 31 containsthe lock system electronics that are responsive to an electronic key(not shown in FIG. 1) and include GPS componentry and transducercircuitry enabling unlocking to occur only when the GPS componentrygenerates a signal indicating to the locking/unlocking mechanism thatthe gas container package is in an appropriate geographic location.

The lock system electronics, locking/unlocking mechanism, GPScomponentry and transducer circuitry, and electronic keys are allreadily fabricated and programmably arranged in a specificimplementation, within the skill of the art based on the disclosureherein.

By the provision of the time- and spatially-programmable lock 30, thegas container package is maintained in a tamper-proof condition duringtransport, so that only authorized persons having possession ofelectronic keys compatible with the lock can gain access to the contentsof the gas container package.

Until it is unlocked and the lid 16 is removed from the upper end of theside wall, the lid is clamped by the circumferential clamping ring 22 tothe upper end of the side wall in a leak-tight fashion, and for thispurpose, the container package may further employ gaskets or othersealing structures to ensure such leak-tightness.

When sealed, the interior volume 18 of the container package ismaintained at a pressure that is above the pressure existing in the gasvessels 20 in the interior volume 18, by fill of the interior volumewith pressurizing gas, preferably an inert pressurizing gas such asnitrogen, argon, helium, or the like, whereby any leakage of any of thevessels 20 will result in initial inflow of the pressurizing gas intothe leaking vessel.

When a multiplicity of gas vessels is contained in the interior volumeof the container package, it will be recognized that the internalpressure in individual vessels may be different from one vessel toanother. In such instance, the pressurizing gas is that a pressure thatis in excess of the highest of the individual vessel internal pressures.

The vessels 20 in the container package in a preferred embodiment arevessels containing adsorbent having sorptive affinity for the gas ofinterest, wherein the pressure of the gas in the vessels is less than 1atmosphere, e.g., 0.4-0.9 atmosphere, and the pressure of thepressurizing gas in the interior volume of the overpack is in excess ofatmospheric pressure, e.g., a pressure of 1.2-1.5 atmospheres.

The container package once loaded with gas-containing vessels 20 andsealed is pressurized via the valve 40 mounted in the lid 16, in a firstport therein. The lid also includes a second port in which is disposed apressure gauge 38, so that pressure in the interior volume of thecontainer package can be visually monitored.

In lieu of, or in addition to, the use of a pressure gauge, thecontainer package may employ a pressure transducer arranged in signaltransmitting relationship, e.g., wirelessly, to an output displaydevice, such as a screen on a handheld or desktop computer or otherprocessor, as well as other instrumentation and monitoring devices,output displays, as previously described herein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container package 10 of FIG. 1,wherein all parts and elements are numbered correspondingly with respectto the same parts and elements in FIG. 1. As shown, the overpack 11includes floor 12 leak-tightly joined to side wall 14, and the lid 16retained in sealing position by circumferential clamping ring 22, andfeaturing the valve 40 and pressure gauge 38. The container package 10may be formed as a steel drum, of cylindrical shape, and having anappropriate volume for retaining an array of gas-containing vesselstherein.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, in cross-section, of the container package10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein all corresponding parts and elements arecorrespondingly numbered.

FIG. 3 shows the foam inner liner as including an upper liner portion 52and a lower liner portion 50, filling the interior volume 18 of theoverpack. The upper and lower portions of the foam inner liner arefabricated with matably alignable cavities therein, so that when theupper and lower portions of the foam inner liner are mated with oneanother, pockets are provided that contain the gas-containing vessels 54and 56 (of the multiple vessels array shown in FIG. 1), in apositionally fixed manner.

The foam inner liner may be formed of polymeric foam material, oralternatively, the interior volume 18 may contain other non-foamstructures, which function to fixedly position the vessels in theinterior volume, and protect them from shock, impact, vibration, etc.The foam liner in a preferred embodiment is formed of a low thermalconductivity material to constitute an insulant medium in the interiorvolume, which protects the vessels from thermal shocks, and buffers thevessels during changes in temperature conditions in the ambientenvironment of the container package.

The liner in the container package thus may be of any suitable materialof construction and of any appropriate form, e.g., in the form ofparticles, web or sheet-form structures, batting, mats, aggregates,screens, powders, solid media of open-cell or closed cell character,laminates, bricks, etc., as appropriate to positionally fix the vesselsin the container package.

As also shown in FIG. 3, the upper portion 52 of the foam inner lineralso has cavities formed therein to accommodate the valve 40 and thepressure gauge 38.

FIG. 4 is a perspective sectional view of a portion of the upper lefthand portion of the container package shown in FIG. 3, wherein allcorresponding parts and elements are correspondingly labeled. Theoverpack 11 contains the liner upper portion 52 having a cavity thereinto contain the valve 40.

As illustrated, the valve 40 includes mated fittings 60 and 62positioning the valve coupling 64 for engagement with a mating couplingon a feed line joined to a pressurizing gas supply (not shown), wherebythe interior volume of the container package may be pressurized with asuitable pressurizing gas to a pressure that is above the pressure ofthe gas in the vessels in the container package, after the overpack hasbeen sealed. The circumferentially extending clamping ring 22 is shownin FIG. 4 engaging the rim of the lid 16.

The valve coupling 64 as shown is recessed from the main top surface ofthe lid, in order to maintain the valve coupling out of exposure toimpact or bearing contact with other parts or surfaces that couldotherwise damage such valve coupling, and result in leakage and loss ofthe pressurizing gas to the ambient environment of the containerpackage.

FIG. 5 is a perspective sectional view of a portion of the upper righthand portion of the container package shown in FIG. 3, wherein allcorresponding parts and elements are correspondingly labeled. Theoverpack 11 contains the liner upper portion 52 having a cavity thereinto contain the pressure gauge 38.

The pressure gauge 38 may be of any suitable type, e.g., having a dialwith a 3.5 cm diameter enabling ready visual determination of thepressure condition in the interior volume of the overpack. The pressuregauge 38 in the embodiment shown is mounted on a modified pipe bushing68 joined in turn to a welded steel coupling 66 that is secured to thelid 16. The lid as shown is circumscribed by the clamping ring 22, toeffect leak-tight sealing of the interior volume of the containerpackage.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lid 16 of the container package ofFIGS. 1-5, showing the details of construction thereof. The lid has afirst port 86 accommodating the pressure gauge 38 and a second port 88accommodating the valve 40. The pressure gauge 38 and the valve 40 aremounted on support structures 72 including the fitting 60 supporting thevalve 40 and modified pipe bushing 68 supporting the pressure gauge 38.FIG. 6 shows a gauge lens 70 mounted in the first port 86 toprotectively overlie the pressure gauge 38, while allowing for readyvisual inspection of the gauge to determine the pressure in the interiorvolume of the container package.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lid 16 of the FIGS. 1-6 containerpackage, numbered correspondingly with respect to the precedingdrawings. The valve coupling mounted in the second port is provided witha hard cap 80, e.g. of a hard plastic material, whereby the valve isprotected from dust and contamination. FIG. 7 also shows the gauge lens70 in the first port of the lid, arranged to overlie the pressure gauge.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view, in elevational cross-section, of a portionof the lid 16 shown in the preceding drawings, as depicted with theassociated pressure gauge 38 in the first port at the right-hand side ofthe lid as illustrated, and valve 40 mounted on fitting 60 in the secondport on the left-hand side of the lid as illustrated.

As discussed hereinabove, in lieu of the viewable pressure gauge 38shown in FIGS. 1-8 herein, the container package may employ additionalor different pressure monitoring elements. For example, the containerpackage may incorporate a pressure transducer that is coupled with aradio frequency antenna to transmit a signal indicative of the pressurein the interior volume of the container package, or other and differentdevices may be employed to monitor the pressure condition of theinterior volume during pressurizing gas filling, or subsequent storageand/or transport of the container package.

It will also be appreciated that additional monitoring and controlfeatures and capabilities may be incorporated in the container packageof the invention, including RFID or other “smart” tags, thermalmanagement features (e.g., providing the overpack with on-board heatexchange capability, forming the overpack container with fins or otherextended area heat transfer surface, etc.), leak detection devices inthe interior volume specific for the gas contained in the vessels heldin the overpack, chemisorbent ampoules in the interior volume for uptakeof outwardly diffusing hazardous gas from sorbent-containing vesselsexperiencing leak behavior, etc. Further, the conformation of theoverpack may be varied from the cylindrical geometry illustrativelyshown and described herein, to encompass overpacks that are of cubic,rectangular parallelepiped, frustoconical, pyramidal or other shape orgeometric form.

Finally, although a programmable electro-mechanical locking systemintegrated with a global position device, e.g., to allow GPS trackingand/or geographically restricted access via the locking system, has beenillustratively described in application to a gas container package, itwill be recognized that the utility of such arrangement is not thuslimited, but that such GPS-augmented programmable electromechanicallocking system is broadly useful in any circumstance in whichinformation, material or an article is susceptible to being secured by alocked arrangement, and in which restricted access to the locked item isdesirably accommodated while ensuring that no unauthorized access hasoccurred.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention provides a highly secure containment package for hazardousor otherwise sensitive materials, of a “tamper-proof” character, thatprovides the tracking capability and indication of when and where thecontainment package has been opened or otherwise accessed. Thecontainment package technology of the invention facilitates legitimateinspections and contents verification of packages by customs agents,police, military and other government and commercial personnel, whilesafeguarding the containment package contents against unlawful orunauthorized intrusion.

1.-70. (canceled)
 71. A container package useful for transport of fluidstorage and dispensing vessel(s), comprising an overpack defining aninterior volume adapted for holding at least one fluid storage anddispensing vessel in an environment of containment gas in the interiorvolume of the overpack at pressure that is above pressure of fluidcontained in the at least one fluid storage and dispensing vessel,wherein the overpack includes at least one of: (i) an anti-tamper systemadapted to restrict access to the at least one fluid storage anddispensing vessel therein; (ii) a thermal management system formaintaining the at least one fluid storage and dispensing vessel attemperature within a predetermined temperature range; and (iii) atracking system adapted for communication with a communication system.72. The container package of claim 71, including said anti-tamper systemin a configuration selected from the group consisting of: (a) theanti-tamper system comprising a programmable electromechanical lock andkey system; (b) (a), and a GPS system adapted to selectively actuate theprogrammable electromechanical lock and key system; and (c) (a), (b),and an electronic key that is operable to unlock the programmableelectromechanical lock when the GPS system indicates that the containerpackage is at a predetermined location or within predeterminedgeographic coordinates.
 73. The container package of claim 71, includinga thermal management system comprising a phase change gel pack arrangedto maintain temperature in said interior volume in a predetermined rangeduring variable environmental temperature conditions.
 74. The containerpackage of claim 71, wherein the overpack includes a pressurizing portadapted for introduction of pressurizing gas into the interior volume,to establish pressure therein that is above pressure of fluid containedin the at least one fluid storage and dispensing vessel, and a pressuremonitor adapted to monitor pressure in the interior volume.
 75. Thecontainer package of claim 71, including at least one feature selectedfrom the group consisting of: (1) a positional fixation structure in theinterior volume, adapted to positionally retain the at least one fluidstorage and dispensing vessel in a fixed position in the interiorvolume; (2) a pressure monitor; (3) a pressure monitor comprising ananalog pressure gauge; (4) a pressure monitor comprising a pressuretransducer; (5) a thermal management device or structure in saidoverpack; (6) a thermal controller adapted to maintain a predeterminedtemperature level of fluid in said at least one fluid storage anddispensing vessel; (7) active heating and cooling componentry; (8)thermal insulation in said interior volume; (9) dunnage in said interiorvolume; (10) foam material in said interior volume defining at least onecavity for retention of the at least one fluid storage and dispensingvessel; (11) a time-temperature monitoring system adapted to provide arecord of temperature in the interior volume over a predetermined periodof time; (12) temperature control and monitoring capability; (13) a leakdetector adapted to monitor gas leaks into or within the overpack; (14)a gas-specific detector; (15) a port in said overpack, having agas-specific sensor disposed therein; (16) a gas-specific sensorproviding a visual output indicative of occurrence of leak; (17) anadsorbent material in said interior volume, adapted to take up orimmobilize leaking gas therein; (18) a physical adsorbent in saidinterior volume; (19) a chemisorbent in said interior volume; (20) aheater; (21) a cooler; (22) a pressure relief device; (23) a shockabsorber; (24) a shock sensor; (25) a tracking device; (26) an RFIDtracking device; (27) a global positioning satellite (GPS) trackingdevice; (28) scannable identification indicia; and (29) detectableidentification indicia.
 76. The container package of claim 71,containing at least one fluid storage and dispensing vessel.
 77. Thecontainer package of claim 76, having at least one characteristicselected from the group consisting of: (1) subatmospheric pressure in atleast one of said at least one fluid storage and dispensing vessel; (2)containment gas pressure in said interior volume above ambient pressureexterior to the container package; (3) leak-tight sealing of theoverpack against an exterior environment thereof; (4) containment gas insaid interior volume comprising inert gas; (5) each of the at least onefluid storage and dispensing vessel including a valve head comprising avalve wheel that is protectively secured by a tensioned strap secured tothe valve wheel; (6) each of the at least one fluid storage anddispensing vessel including a valve head that is protectively secured bya valve cap; (7) each of the at least one fluid storage and dispensingvessel including a valve head protectively secured by shrinkwrappingthereof; (8) each of the at least one fluid storage and dispensingvessel being wrapped in shrinkwrapping material; (9) the enclosure beingadapted to hold from 6 to 24 fluid storage and dispensing vessels; (10)each of the at least one fluid storage and dispensing vessel having afluid storage volume in a range of from 0.4 L to 6.6 L; (11) theinterior volume being constructed to hold a number of fluid storage anddispensing vessels, wherein said number is selected from the groupconsisting of 6, 12 and
 24. 78. The container package of claim 76,wherein the at least one fluid storage and dispensing vessel contains asemiconductor manufacturing fluid.
 79. The container package of claim76, wherein the at least one fluid storage and dispensing vesselcontains fluid selected from the group consisting of boron trifluoride,arsine, phosphine, silicon tetrafluoride, germanium tetrafluoride,arsenic pentafluoride, phosphorus trifluoride, hydrogen selenide,diborane, decaborane, and silane.
 80. The container package of claim 76,wherein the at least one fluid storage and dispensing vessel holds gasadsorbed on a carbon adsorbent, at sub-atmospheric pressure.
 81. A gasmanagement method, comprising use of a container package as claimed inclaim 71, involving at least one activity selected from the groupconsisting of: (1) introducing at least one fluid storage and dispensingvessel into the interior volume of the overpack; (2) transporting saidcontainer package containing at least one fluid storage and dispensingvessel in the interior volume of the overpack; (3) tracking saidcontainer package containing at least one fluid storage and dispensingvessel in the interior volume of the overpack, during transport thereof;(4) maintaining said overpack in a locked and tamper-resistant modeduring transport thereof; (5) remotely opening a previously lockedoverpack of said container package at a predetermined location or underpredetermined conditions; (6) maintaining said overpack interior volumecontaining at least one fluid storage and dispensing vessel attemperature in a predetermined temperature range, during storage ortransport thereof; (7) utilizing said container package in a supplychain.
 82. The method of claim 81, wherein the at least one fluidstorage and dispensing vessel contains a semiconductor manufacturinggas.
 83. The method of claim 81, wherein the at least one fluid storageand dispensing vessel contains a fluid selected from the groupconsisting of boron trifluoride, arsine, phosphine, silicontetrafluoride, germanium tetrafluoride, arsenic pentafluoride,phosphorus trifluoride, hydrogen selenide, diborane and decaborane. 84.The method of claim 81, wherein the overpack comprises a communicationcapability enabling trackability of the container package.
 85. A supplychain management system, comprising (a) a communication systemcomprising at least one system selected from the group consisting of (1)active RFID systems, (2) GPS communication systems, (3) global digitalcommunications networks and (4) cellular telephony communicationsystems; and (b) a container package adapted for transport of fluidstorage and dispensing vessel(s), comprising an overpack defining aninterior volume adapted for holding at least one fluid storage anddispensing vessel in an environment of containment gas at pressure thatis above pressure of fluid contained in the at least one fluid storageand dispensing vessel, wherein the container package is adapted tocommunicate with said communication system.
 86. The supply chainmanagement system of claim 85, wherein the system is adapted to trackthe location of the container package.
 87. The supply chain managementsystem of claim 85, wherein the overpack includes at least one of (a) ananti-tamper device adapted to restrict access to the at least one fluidstorage and dispensing vessel therein, and (b) a thermal managementcapability, for maintaining temperature of said at least one fluidstorage and dispensing vessel within a predetermined range.
 88. Thesupply chain management system of claim 85, wherein the system isadapted for integration with an inventory and warehouse control system.89. The supply chain management system of claim 85, wherein thecontainer package comprises an alerting capability for notification viathe communication system that the container package has beencompromised.
 90. The supply chain management system of claim 85, whereinat least one fluid storage and dispensing vessel is contained in saidcontainer package, and contains a fluid.